Analogue Transit: Kwaku Aning (l) and Jeff Shreiner Can analog and digital techniques co-exist? For Analogue Transit – vocalist-guitarist Kwaku Aning and keyboardist-production wiz Jeff Shreiner – the answer is not only a resounding yes, but it's a necessary pairing. Gearheart is a nine song collection in which baby grand pianos clash with 21st Century […]

Stew always keeps 'em guessing. Stew has made a career out of it – first with The Negro Problem, then later as solo artist. He later confonted all expectations when his first stab at a musical, 'Passing Strange' had a strong run first at The Public Theater, then later on Broadway. Spike Lee was […]

Note: Booker T. is at Joe’s Pub in NYC tonight, 6/10. Still time to get tix! Someone with the musical credentials and legacy of Booker T. Jones didn’t have to go out and strike a new path. But one of the things that I’ve always admired about him – besides the fact that he was […]

The Greyhound gang returns to conjure up the funk. Last time I saw Earl Greyhound (and, in fact, the first), it was a great experience. So I'm sure they'll tear it up again on June 7. Never seen Simi, but I know she's from the band Sufrajett, who was on the BRC's Rock n Roll […]

Two powerful women tore up Santos back in March. Yeah, Tamar-kali and Jean Grae. After seeing their individual sets, I couldn't help but wonder why these two aren't better known. Both are really engaging performers. One of the things I would've liked to have seen was more collaboration between the two. They did one number […]

Time Out NY calls him "the world's best bassist". And for good reason. Bassist Melvin Gibbs adds to his already stunning musicial resume with a truly world music record. On Ancients Speak, recorded field hollers meets underground hip-hop, Afro-Beat swims with monster funk grooves, yet there's still room for soaring Hendrixian guitar solos and transcendental […]

By Earl Douglas Michael Hill is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and bad ass guitarist with nearly a half a dozen albums under his belt with his band Bluesmob and as a solo artist. He's shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business and on top of everything else, one of […]

That first full day in Austin got away from me. Between my panel, Quincy's keynote, doing a bit of hanging out, the day flew. Add to that the fact that it was nearly impossible to get a cab to Austin Music Hall, and you can pretty much guess that I missed some the Afro-punk showcase. […]

My introduction to TV on the Radio was their 2006 album, "Return to Cookie Mountain." It's a funny thing taking the plunge into a new band. The real work is to adjust your ears so that you can hear what they're attempting before you pass judgment on whether or not you like the album. I […]